U.S. patent application number 11/533426 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for system and method to protect personal property.
Invention is credited to Neil C. Schoen, Wendy A. Schoen.
Application Number | 20080074265 11/533426 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39224344 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080074265 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schoen; Neil C. ; et
al. |
March 27, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROTECT PERSONAL PROPERTY
Abstract
A system to protect personal property may include an electronic
tag associable with a personal property item. The system may also
include a controller adapted to wirelessly communicate with the
electronic tag to determine a status of the electronic tag to
protect the personal property item from loss or theft.
Inventors: |
Schoen; Neil C.; (Montgomery
Village, MD) ; Schoen; Wendy A.; (Montagomery
Village, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE AND VAN ALLEN PLLC FOR BOEING
430 DAVIS DRIVE, SUITE 500
MORRISVILLE
NC
27560
US
|
Family ID: |
39224344 |
Appl. No.: |
11/533426 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.1 ;
340/539.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 13/1427
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/572.1 ;
340/539.13 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/14 20060101
G08B013/14; G08B 1/08 20060101 G08B001/08 |
Claims
1. A system to protect personal property, comprising: an electronic
tag associable with a personal property item; and a controller
adapted to wirelessly communicate with the electronic tag to
determine a status of the electronic tag to protect the personal
property item from loss or theft.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises a
unique identification code to distinguish the electronic tag from
other electronic tags.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises a
device to determine a status of the electronic tag.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises a
device to report a status of the electronic tag to the
controller.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises a
device to determine at least one of a group including a proximity
of the electronic tag to the controller, the electronic tag being
out of communications range of the controller, motion of the
electronic tag, a direction of motion of the electronic tag and a
location of the electronic tag.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises: a
motion sensor to detect any motion of an associated personal
property item; and a communications device to transmit a signal to
the controller in response to any motion being detected.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises: at
least one of a Global Positioning System and an Inertial
Measurement Unit to determine a coordinate location of the
electronic tag; and a communications device to transmit a signal to
the controller, wherein the signal includes the coordinate location
of the electronic tag.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises one
of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, Bluetooth-type
transceiver, ultrasonic transceiver and an infrared transceiver to
communicate with the controller.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises a
memory to store a unique identification code to distinguish the
electronic tag from other electronic tags and to store information
related to a status of the electronic tag.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises an
antenna to receive a signal from the controller to power the
electronic tag to perform predetermined operations.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag comprises a
communications device to transmit the status of the electronic tag
via a satellite.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a
processor to determine a status of the electronic tag based on
information from the electronic tag.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a
processor to determine a status of the electronic tag in response
to at least one of a signal received from the electronic tag or
absence of a signal from the electronic tag after an interrogation
signal.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises at
least one of an audible alarm and a visual alarm to alert a user
about a status of the electronic tag.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a
display to present a status of the electronic tag.
16. The system of claim 1 5, wherein the status of the electronic
tag comprising at least one of a range indication of the electronic
tag, a location of the electronic tag, a direction of motion of the
electronic tag.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a
button or switch to disable an alarm caused by a motion sensor
associated with the electronic tag.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises one of
an RFID reader, Bluetooth-type transceiver, ultrasonic transceiver
and an infrared transceiver to communicate with the electronic
tag.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a
module to access a stored status of the electronic tag to determine
if an alarm condition exists.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is embodied in at
least one of a portable computing device, handheld computing
device, and a mobile communications device.
21. An electronic tag for use in a personal property protection
system, comprising: a unique identification code to distinguish the
electronic tag from other electronic tags; a component to determine
a status of the electronic tag; and a component to report a status
of the electronic tag to a controller in the personal property
protection system.
22. The electronic tag of claim 21, further comprising a component
to determine at least one of a group including a proximity of the
electronic tag to the controller, that the electronic tag is out of
range of the controller, motion of the electronic tag, a direction
of motion of the electronic tag and a location of the electronic
tag.
23. The electronic tag of claim 21, further comprising: a motion
sensor to detect any motion of an associated personal property
item; and at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) and an
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to determine a coordinate location
of the electronic tag; and a communications device to report a
status of the electronic tag in response to detecting any motion
and information from the at least one GPS and IMU.
24. The electronic tag of claim 21, further comprising one of a
radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, Bluetooth-type
transceiver, ultrasonic transceiver and an infrared transceiver to
communicate with the controller.
25. A controller for use in a personal property protection system,
comprising: a communications device to wirelessly communicate with
an electronic tag to determine a status of the electronic tag to
protect a personal property item associated with the electronic tag
from loss or theft; and a processor to determine a status of the
electronic tag based on at least one of information received from
the electronic tag and an absence of a signal from the electronic
tag after an interrogation signal.
26. The controller of claim 25, further comprising at least one of
an audible alarm and a visual alarm to alert a user about a status
of the electronic tag.
27. The controller of claim 25, further comprising a display to
present a status of the electronic tag.
28. The controller of claim 25, further comprising one of an RFID
reader, Bluetooth-type transceiver, ultrasonic transceiver and an
infrared transceiver to communicate with the electronic tag.
29. The controller of claim 25, wherein the controller is embodied
in at least one of a portable computing device, handheld computing
device, and a mobile communications device.
30. A method to protect personal property, comprising: determining
a status of an electronic tag associated with a personal property
item; and activating an alarm in response to the status of the
electronic tag being in a predetermined condition.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein determining the status of the
electronic tag comprises at least one: detecting motion of the
electronic tag; determining that the electronic tag is beyond a
range of communications of a controller; determining a proximity of
the electronic tag to the controller; determining a direction of
motion of the electronic tag; determining a location of the
electronic tag.
32. The method of claim 30, further comprising reporting a status
of the electronic tag to a controller.
33. The method of claim 30, further comprising reporting a status
of the electronic tag via a satellite.
34. The method of claim 30, further comprising storing a unique
identification code of each electronic tag in a personal property
protection system.
35. The method of claim 30, further comprising accessing a stored
status of the electronic tag to determine if an alarm condition
exits.
36. A computer program product to protect personal property from
theft or loss, the computer program product comprising: a computer
usable medium having computer usable program code embodied
therewith, the computer usable medium comprising: computer usable
program code configured to determine a status of an electronic tag
associated with a personal property item; and computer usable
program code configured to activate an alarm in response to the
status of the electronic tag being in a predetermined
condition.
37. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising
computer usable program code configured to at least one of: detect
motion of the electronic tag; determine that the electronic tag is
beyond a range of communications of a controller; determine a
proximity of the electronic tag to the controller; determine a
direction of motion of the electronic tag; determine a location of
the electronic tag.
38. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising
computer usable program code configured to report a status of the
electronic tag to a controller.
39. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising
computer usable program code configured to access a stored status
of the electronic tag to determine if an alarm condition exits.
40. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising
computer usable program code configured to permit deactivation of
an alarm signal caused by motion of the electronic tag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to protecting personal
property from loss or theft and more particularly to a system and
method to protect personal property.
[0002] There are currently no reliable means to protect an
individual's personal property, such as a traveler's personal
property, against theft or loss, other than constant vigilance. In
the example of a traveler, personal property is vulnerable to theft
or loss when enroute to or from a principle mode of transportation,
such as an airplane, train, taxi or the like. Frequently,
distractions arise that may cause an individual or traveler to turn
his attention and focus away from some of his possessions. During
this time period a theft of some or all of the individual's
belongings could be easily accomplished by professional thieves, or
some person could inadvertently take the wrong bag or other
personal property item. Examples include baggage placed on the curb
and stolen or inadvertently taken while out of sight of a traveler
paying cab fare, or pickpockets stealing a traveler's wallet or
purse in a crowded subway, bus terminal or airport. Another
frequent scenario ending in loss of the traveler's property may
entail valuable objects left behind when departing a mode of
transportation. For example, leaving behind a laptop computer, a
valuable piece of clothing or other item in an overhead baggage
area or seat back on an airplane or train.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
system to protect personal property may include an electronic tag
associable with a personal property item. The system may also
include a controller adapted to wirelessly communicate with the
electronic tag to determine a status of the electronic tag to
protect the personal property item from loss or theft.
[0004] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, an electronic tag for use in a personal property
protection system may include a unique identification code to
distinguish the electronic tag from other electronic tags. The
electronic tag may also include a device or component to determine
a status of the electronic tag. The electronic tag may also include
a device or component to report a status of the electronic tag to a
controller in the personal property protection system.
[0005] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a controller for use in a personal property protection
system may include a communications device to wirelessly
communicate with an electronic tag to determine a status of the
electronic tag to protect a personal property item associated with
the electronic tag from loss or theft. The controller may also
include a processor to determine a status of the electronic tag
based on at least one of information received from the electronic
tag and an absence of a signal from the electronic tag after an
interrogation signal.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a method to protect personal property may include
determining a status of an electronic tag associated with a
personal property item. The method may also include activating an
alarm in response to the status of the electronic tag being in a
predetermined condition.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a computer program product to protect personal property
from theft or loss may include a computer usable medium having
computer usable program code embodied therewith. The computer
usable medium may include computer usable program code configured
to determine a status of an electronic tag associated with a
personal property item. The computer usable medium may also include
computer usable program code configured to activate an alarm in
response to the status of the electronic tag being in a
predetermined condition.
[0008] Other aspects and features of the present invention, as
defined solely by the claims, will become apparent to those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following
non-limited detailed description of the invention in conjunction
with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a system to
protect personal property from theft or loss in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an electronic
personal property protection tag, transponder or the like in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of a personal
property protection controller in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B (collectively FIG. 4) are a flow chart of an
example of a method to protect personal property in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following detailed description of embodiments refers to
the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of
the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and
operations do not depart from the scope of the present
invention.
[0014] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the
present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or computer
program product. Accordingly, portions of the present invention may
take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely
software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,
micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware
aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, the present invention
may take the form of a computer program product on a
computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code
embodied in the medium.
[0015] Any suitable computer usable or computer readable medium may
be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may
be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,
optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,
apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include
the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a
portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory
(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only
memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device,
a transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an
intranet, or a magnetic storage device. Note that the
computer-useable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or
another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the
program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical
scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted,
or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then
stored in a computer memory. In the context of this document, a
computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that
can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the
program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device.
[0016] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the
present invention may be written in an object oriented programming
language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the
computer program code for carrying out operations of the present
invention may also be written in conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The program code may execute
entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as
a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and
partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or
server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be
connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN)
or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an
external computer (for example, through the Internet using an
Internet Service Provider).
[0017] The present invention is described below with reference to
flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus
(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of
the invention. It will be understood that each block of the
flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of
blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be
implemented by computer program instructions. These computer
program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general
purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable
data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the
instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or
other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or
block diagram block or blocks.
[0018] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction
means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart
and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0019] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a
series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or
other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented
process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or
other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the
functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram
block or blocks.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a system 100 to
protect personal property 102 from theft or loss in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may include
one or more electronic tags 104 that are each associable with a
personal property item 102. An example of an electronic tag 104
that may be used with the system 100 will be described in more
detail with reference to FIG. 2. The personal property item 102 may
be any personal property item that an individual 106 wants to
protect from theft or loss or otherwise wants to be able to
determine the whereabouts. Examples of personal property may
include but is not necessarily limited to luggage, a lap top
computer, articles of clothing, a purse or wallet or similar items.
The present invention may also be used to keep track of younger
children or pets.
[0021] The electronic tag 104 may be attached to the personal
property item 102 by any sort of means, such as a strap, clip, pin
or the like. For example, the electronic tags 104a and 104b may be
attached to a handle of a bag or luggage by a strap similar to a
regular identification tag. In another embodiment of the present
invention the electronic tag 104, such as electronic tag 104c, may
be disposed within the personal property item 102a. This may
provide additional security in that the tag 104c would not be
subject to removal by a thief and the tag may be less likely to be
damaged than if exposed on the exterior of the personal property
item 102a. Additionally, the electronic tag 104c may have special
tracking and location features described in more detail herein that
may result in the size of the packaging of the tag making it
impractical to locate or attach the tag 104 to the exterior of the
personal property item 104.
[0022] In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the
electronic tag 104 may be small and thin enough to simply be
inserted in the personal property item 104, such as in a pursue,
credit card slot in a wallet, identification slot on a bag or
luggage or the like. The electronic tag 104 may be adapted to
provide notification to a user or traveler 106 or to a controller
device 108 in possession of the user when the personal property
item 102 associated with the tag 104 leaves an immediate proximity
of the user or traveler 106 and/or the personal property item 102
associated with the tag undergoes movement or motion, both
described in more detail herein.
[0023] As mentioned above, the system 100 may also include a
controller 108. The controller 108 may be adapted to wirelessly
communicate with each of the electronic tags 104 to determine a
status of each electronic tag 104 to protect the associated
personal property item 104 from loss or theft. Each electronic tag
104 may have a unique identification code 110 or the like to
distinguish it from other electronic tags 104 operating in the
system 100. The controller 108 is kept in a secure place by the
user, such as in a pocket separate from any personal item to be
protected, clipped on a belt similar to a cell phone, in a purse or
other secure place.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
electronic tag 104 may be adapted to transmit signals 112 to a
satellite 114 or constellation 116 of satellites. The signals 112
may include information or data to indicate a location of the tag
104 and/or provide tracking information after the tag 104 is out of
range of the controller 108. The location information may be global
positioning system (GPS) location information or similar location
and tracking information. The satellite 114 may then transmit a
signal 118 including the location and/or tracking information to
the controller 108, to law enforcement, a commercial security
service or the like. The signals 112 and 118 may also be
transmitted to and from the satellite 114 via an earth station (not
shown) in FIG. 1. The satellites 114 may be a class of
communications satellites, such as the Iridium system or a similar
system, or a constellation of satellites similar to the GPS
constellation of satellites with a capability to receive as well as
transmit signals.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an electronic
personal property protection tag 200, transponder or the like in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
electronic tag 200 may be used for the electronic tag 104 in FIG.
1. The electronic tag 200 may be a radio frequency identification
(RFID) tag or transponder, or in some embodiments of the present
invention, a component of the electronic tag 200 may be an RFID tag
or transponder. The components of the electronic tag 200 may vary
depending upon the application of the tag and the particular
functions that are desired to be performed, such as providing
location information, geographical coordinate information or other
status information.
[0026] The electronic tag 200 may include a housing 202 to protect
the internal components of the tag 200. The entire component
structure of the electronic tag 200 may be encapsulated in a
"smart" laminated card device, such as housing 202, similar to that
used for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags or similar
devices.
[0027] The electronic tag 200 may also include a power reception
loop antenna 204. The power reception loop antenna 204 may include
a sufficient number of loops to receive a predetermined amount of
electromagnetic radiation or energy from a controller, such as
controller 108 in FIG. 1, to power the electronic tag 200 to
perform the operations and functions described herein.
[0028] The power reception loop antenna 204 may be coupled to an
energy storage component 206. The antenna 204 may collect radio
frequency (RF) energy radiated by the controller (controller 108 in
FIG. 1). The RF energy may be rectified and stored in the energy
storage component 206 for use in transmissions back to the
controller with tag status information. The loop antenna 204 may be
coupled to the energy storage component 206 by a diode 208 to
rectify the energy signal and to permit electrical current to only
flow in one direction and to prevent electrical power from being
dissipated by the power reception loop antenna 204. The energy
storage component 206 may include a capacitor arrangement 210 for
energy storage for short periods of time necessary for operation of
the components of the tag 200 before receiving additional energy in
a subsequent power signal transmission from the controller.
[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the energy
storage component 206 may include a battery 212. The battery 212
may be in lieu of the capacitor arrangement 210 or may be in
addition to the capacitor arrangement 210 for additional power
reserves. The battery 212 may be a high power miniature battery
that may be charged by the power signal transmitted by the system
controller. The battery 212 may be provided in those electronic
tags 200 where size may not be of importance, such as in
association with luggage. In other applications where size may be
of significance, such as placing the electronic tag 200 in a credit
card slot of a wallet or the like, the size of the tag 200 may be
able to be reduced by eliminating the battery 212.
[0030] The electronic tag 200 may also include a communications
device 214. The communications device 214 may be any type of
short-range, low power wireless communications device. The
communications device 214 may be part of an RFID tag or
transponder. The communications device 214 may also be
Bluetooth-type transceiver, an ultrasonic transceiver, infrared
transceiver or the like for wireless communications with a
controller, such as controller 108 in FIG. 1. The communications
device 214 may have sufficient power and/or may include a loop
antenna 216 with a sufficient number of loops to maintain contact
with a system controller, such as controller 108 in FIG. 1, over
reasonable distances to alert the user as described herein and to
allow recovery of any lost or stolen item, preferably before such
item is out of sight. The communications device 214 may also be
adapted to transmit signals including location or tracking
information to a satellite or constellation of satellites, such as
satellites 114 in FIG. 1, or to an earth station for communication
with the satellite, similar to that described with respect to FIG.
1. Alternatively, the electronic tag 200 may include another
communications device to transmit signals including location and/or
tracking information to the satellite or constellation of
satellites.
[0031] The electronic tag 200 may also include a processor 218,
digital signal processor (DSP) or the like. Signals received by the
communications device 214 and antenna 216 may be fed to the
processor or DSP 218 for processing. The processor 218 may be
programmed to determine a status of the electronic tag 200. The
processor 218 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 220, a
memory 222 and an input/output (I/O) module or unit 224. The CPU
220 may control overall operation of the electronic tag 200, such
as determining a status of the tag 200 as described in more detail
herein. The memory 222 may store a unique identification code 223
to distinguish the electronic tag 200 from other electronic tags as
previously discussed. The memory 222 may also store data structures
or algorithms for operation by the CPU 220, such as to determine
the status of the tag 200, to store information related to the
status of the electronic tag 200 or other data related to operation
of the tag 200.
[0032] The I/O module 224 may receive signals from the
communications device 214 or antenna 216 via an amplifier 226. The
signals may then be processed by the CPU 220. Another amplifier 228
may couple the I/O module 224 of the DSP 218 to the communications
antenna 216. The amplifier 228 may provide signal power to allow
transmission of digital signals stored in the tag memory 222 via
the antenna 216. The digital signals may contain status information
including location information of the tag 200.
[0033] The electronic tag 200 may also include at least one of a
Global Positioning System (GPS) 230 and a motion detector or sensor
232 to detect motion or movement of the tag 200 or an item
associated with the tag 200. The motion detector 232 may be an
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) or other type motion sensor or
detector device. The GPS 230 and/or IMU 232 may determine a
coordinate location of the tag 200 or other movement or location
information relative to the tag 200. The GPS 230 and motion sensor
232 or IMU may be coupled to the I/O unit 224 of the processor 218.
The GPS 230 and/or motion sensor 232 or IMU, communications device
214 and the processor or DSP 218 may define a device 234 to
determine at least one of a group including a proximity of the
electronic tag 200 to a controller, such as controller 108 in FIG.
1, the electronic tag 200 being out of communications range of the
controller, motion of the electronic tag 200, a direction of motion
of the electronic tag 200 relative to the controller, a direction
of motion of the electronic tag 200 relative to the controller or
other information related to a status of the electronic tag to
prevent loss or theft of an item associated with the electronic tag
and to facilitate recovery of the item under such
circumstances.
[0034] The GPS system 230 may require a larger tag or housing 202
and may not operate in all environments, for example in
circumstances where the GPS 230 cannot access the GPS satellites or
cannot access the requisite number of satellites for global
positioning. In another embodiment of the present invention, the
GPS system 230 may be an "inverse" GPS system or the like that may
allow transmitted signals to reach a receiver similar to those
applicable to Wireless Fidelity ("Wi-Fi") or wireless local area
network (WLAN) or similar protocols. An example of an inverse GPS
system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,551 entitled
"Micro-Miniature Beacon Transmit-only Geo-Location Emergency System
for Personal Security, granted Feb. 22, 2000 to Neil Charles Schoen
and Wendy Ann Schoen and U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,318 which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,551, issued Sep. 4,
2001 and has the same title and inventors. GPS system 230 or IMU
234 may also be adapted to transmit signals including location and
tracking information to a satellite or constellation of satellites
similar to that previously described.
[0035] The different components of the electronic tag 200 may be
formed as discrete components or some or all of the different
components may be formed as an integrated single chip or
microchip.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of a personal
property protection controller 300 in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. The controller 300 may be used for the
controller 108 of FIG. 1. The components of the controller 300 may
be contained in a housing 302 to protect the internal
components.
[0037] The controller 300 may include a communications device 304
to communicate with an electronic tag or tags similar to the tag
200 in FIG. 2. The communications device 304 may include an antenna
306 to transmit and receive signals from the electronic tag or
tags. The antenna 306 may be a loop antenna or other type antenna
capable of communicating with the electronic tags. The
communications device 304 may be an RFID reader, a Bluetooth type
transceiver, an ultrasonic transceiver, an infrared transceiver or
similar device for communicating with the electronic tags. The
means of communication or communications devices of the controller
300 and the electronic tags (tags 200 in FIG. 2) needs to be
compatible or capable of communication with one another. For
example, the controller 300 and electronic tags 200 should operate
on the same frequencies, use the same protocols for communications
and the like.
[0038] The controller 300 may also include a processor 308 to
determine a status of the electronic tag or tags. The processor 308
may be a digital signal processor or the like. The status of the
electronic tags may be based on information from the tags. The
processor 308 may determine the status of the tags in response to
at least one of a signal received from each of the electronic tags
or an absence or failure to receive a response signal from each of
the electronic tags after an interrogation signal.
[0039] The processor 308 may include a central processing unit
(CPU) 310, a memory 312 and an input/output (I/O) module or unit
314. The CPU 310 may control the overall operation of the
controller 300 and determine the status of the associated
electronic tags based on information received from the electronic
tags. The memory 312 may store identification codes 316 for each of
the electronic tags associated with the controller 300. The memory
312 may also store a status of each associated electronic tag. The
memory may also store data structures, algorithms or the like
operable on the CPU 310 to control operation of the controller 300
and to determine the status of each associated electronic tag.
[0040] The I/O module 314 may be coupled to the communications
device 304 by an amplifier 318 that may be part of the
communications device 304. The I/O module 314 may also be coupled
to an audio alarm 320 and to an external interface 322 for
operation and control of the controller 300 by a user. The audio
alarm 320 may be a miniature speaker or any type of device capable
of emitting an audible alarm or signal to the user. The I/O module
314 may be coupled to the audio alarm 320 by an amplifier 324 to
drive the audio alarm 320. The audio alarm 320 may be capable of
generating an alarm of a sufficient decibel level to be heard by
the user or traveler if the controller 300 is contained in a
pocket, purse or the like of the user.
[0041] The external interface or user interface 322 may include an
"ON/OFF" switch 326 to turn the controller 300 on and off. The
external interface 322 may also include a "SET-UP" switch 328 or
button to set up the controller 300 and any associated tags for
protecting items associated with each of the tags. An example of
setting up a system, such as the system 100, will be described with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0042] The external interface 322 may also include a "RESET" switch
330 or button to reset the controller after an alarm condition. The
external interface 322 may also include a "DISABLE MOTION" switch
332, button or the like to disable or ignore any alarms caused by a
motion sensor or detection of motion of any of the electronic tags
associated with the controller 300. The controller 300 may merely
ignore signals received from any associated tag indicating a motion
condition or alarm, or a disable signal may be sent from the
controller 300 to each tag or to a selected tag or tags to disable
the motion detection devices or sensors of the tag or tags. The
"DISABLE MOTION" switch 332 may be activated when the user himself
or someone authorized by the user or traveler is handling or moving
an item associated with a particular tag or tags to prevent false
alarms.
[0043] The external interface 322 may also include a display 334 to
present a status of each electronic tag associated with the
controller 300. The status of an electronic tag may include at
least one of a range indication of the electronic tag or distance
from the controller 300, a location of the electronic tag, a
direction of motion of the electronic tag or other information
related to the status of the tag or tags. The display 334 may also
indicate that the "DISABLE MOTION" switch 332 or feature is active
for a particular tag or tags. The display 332 may also present a
visual alarm condition in addition to the audio alarm 320.
[0044] The controller 300 may also include a battery 336 to store
energy for powering the controller 300. As previously discussed,
the controller 300 may transmit a signal to also power each
electronic tag associated with the controller 300.
[0045] The components of the controller 300 may be formed as
discrete components or formed as an integrated chip or microchip.
The communications device 304 and the processor 308 of the
controller 300 may be similar to the communications device 214 and
processor 218 of the electronic tag 200. The different elements of
the controller 300 may define a device or module 338 to access a
stored status of an electronic tag to determine if an alarm
condition exists. For example, the controller 300 may periodically
transmit an interrogation signal to each associated electronic tag.
A status of each tag that may be stored in a memory of the tag,
such as memory 222 of tag 200 in FIG. 2 may be transmitted back to
the controller 200 to indicate if an alarm condition exits, or as
previously discussed, if no return status signal is received
because the tag is out of range, the processor 308 may determine
that an alarm condition exists and activate the audio alarm 320 and
present a visual alarm on display 334.
[0046] FIGS. 4A and 4B (collectively FIG. 4) are a flow chart of an
example of a method 400 to protect personal property in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The method 400 may be
embodied in a system for protecting personal items or the like,
such as the system 100 in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the
method 400 may be divided into functions or operation that may be
embodied in and performed by a controller 402, such as controller
108 of FIG. 1 or controller 300 of FIG. 3, and functions or
operations that may be embodied in and performed by an electronic
tag 404, such as electronic tag 104 of FIG. 1 or electronic tag 200
of FIG. 2.
[0047] In block 406, a set-up process may be performed by the
controller 402. The set-up process may be performed in response to
a user activating a set-up switch or the like, such as "SET-UP"
switch or button 328 of the controller 300 in FIG. 3. The set-up
process may include transmitting a signal to each tag to a acquire
a quantity of tags, an identification (ID) code of each tag, a
current status of each tag and any other information that may be
appropriate or necessary for setting up the system for protecting
personal property items. The system may be initialized by the user
placing each tag to be associated with a personal property item
proximate to the controller. The user may then operate the set-up
button or switch, such as "SET-UP" switch or button 328 (FIG. 3) to
alert the controller to monitor this tag or tags.
[0048] In block 408, each tag may transmit its ID code, current
status or the like to the controller in response to the set-up
signal from the controller. The ID code may be pre-loaded on the
tag by the manufacturer, or in another embodiment of the present
invention, the user may be able to program the ID code for each
tag. For example, a controller, similar to controller 300 of FIG. 3
may include a keypad to permit a user to enter an ID code that may
be transmitted to a selected tag to program the ID code into the
selected tag.
[0049] In blocks 410 and 412, operation of the system or operation
of each tag may be tested. This may be an optional operation. The
system or each tag may be tested by transmitting an interrogation
signal or ping signal to each tag to detect whether the tag is
within range to detect the signal. In block 412 the tag may be
moved to activate the motion sensor, GPS, IMU or similar device.
The tag may also be moved out of range of the controller to test
the ability of the controller to sense or detect that the tag is
out of range and to provide the appropriate alarm indications.
[0050] In block 414, the alarm or alarms, such as audio and visual
alarms may be reset in response to activating a reset switch or
button, such as reset 330 in FIG. 3. In block 416, the electronic
tag or tags may be associated or otherwise attached to selected
items to be protected. In block 418, the motion state of each tag
may be initialized so that any change in state or condition will
cause a motion bit to be set in memory of the tag and/or a signal
to be sent to the controller automatically or in response to a
periodic ping or interrogation signal from the controller.
[0051] In block 420, a desired set-up or operational mode may be
selected. For example, both motion and range sensors may be active,
only the range sensor may be set and the motion sensor may be
disabled or some other mode of operation may be selected. The
motion sensor or detection feature may be disabled by activating a
disable motion switch or button, such as "DISABLE MOTION" button
332 of FIG. 3, similar to that previously described. The range or
out-of-range mode or feature may still be active for detecting if
the item associated with the tag is moved beyond a predetermined
range from the controller, such as about 10 to about 20 feet from
the controller. In block 422, the present or current set-up status
or operational mode may be presented or displayed to a user. A
current status of each electronic tag may also be presented or
displayed as well as any other information relative to operation of
the system.
[0052] In block 424, an interrogate or ping signal may be
transmitted to each associated electronic tag at predetermined time
intervals. In block 426, the interrogate or ping signal may be
received if the tag is within range. In block 428, an in-range
signal may be transmitted by the tag to the controller in response
to the tag receiving the interrogate or ping signal. A status of
the tag may be transmitted to the controller in response to the
interrogate or ping signal. As previously described, the status may
include a proximity of the electronic tag to the controller, a
location of the electronic tag relative to the controller,
coordinates of the electronic tag as may be provided by a GPS, IMU
or similar device included as a component of the tag, a direction
of motion of the electronic tag relative to the controller, an
indication that the tag is okay and there is no alarm condition, or
other status information. The tag may fail to send a return signal
or a return status signal in response to being out of range of the
controller, as may be the case if the item associated with the tag
has been lost or stolen.
[0053] In block 430, a determination may be made if the controller
received an in-range signal or status signal from the associated
tag currently being pinged or interrogated. If the in-range signal
or status signal is received in block 430 an "OK" status or similar
indication may be presented to the user by the controller in block
432 and the method 400 may return to block 424 and the method 400
may proceed as previously described. The "OK" status indication may
be presented on a display of the controller, such as the display
334 of the exemplary controller 300 in FIG. 3.
[0054] If a determination is made in block 430 that an in-range
signal or status signal was not received, the method 400 may
advance to block 434. In block 434, an alarm may be activated. The
alarm may be an audible alarm, a visual alarm or both. The audible
alarm may involve generating an audible sound by an alarm device,
such as the auditory device or speaker 320 in FIG. 3. The visual
alarm or alert may involve flashing a light on the controller
and/or presenting a message, such as "RANGE" in a display of the
controller, such as display 334 of FIG. 3.
[0055] In block 436, the alarm or alarms may be reset in response
to activation of an alarm reset, such as "RESET" switch or button
330 of the controller 300 in FIG. 3 or a similar reset means. While
not shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 may then return to block 424
and the method 400 may continue as previously described.
[0056] In block 438, a determination may be made if motion is
detected in one of the tags associated with the controller. If no
motion is detected, the method 400 may advance to block 440 and no
signal may be transmitted to the controller or an "OK" signal or
similar indication may be transmitted. The signal may be
transmitted in response to an interrogation or ping signal from the
controller.
[0057] If motion of the tag is detected in block 438, the method
400 may advance to block 442. In block 442, a motion signal, motion
detected signal or the like may be transmitted to the controller.
The tag may also transmit a location of the tag relative to the
controller, GPS/IMU coordinates, direction of motion of the tag
relative to the controller or other status information.
[0058] In block 444, a determination may be made if a motion signal
or other status information signal indicating unauthorized movement
of the tag has been received by the controller. If no motion signal
has been received or a signal indicating that the status of the tag
is okay, the method 400 may advance to block 432 and the "OK"
status or similar indication may be presented. The method may then
proceed as previously described.
[0059] If a motion signal is received in block 444 indicating that
the tag has been moved or is being moved, the method 400 may
advance to block 446. In block 446, an alarm may be activated. The
alarm may be an audio alarm, a visual alarm or both. The audio
alarm may involve generation of a audible signal by a device, such
as audio device or speaker 320. The visual alarm may involve
illumination or flashing of a light on the controller and/or
presentation of a message, such as "MOTION" or a similar indication
on a display of the controller, such as display 334 in FIG. 3.
[0060] In block 448, the alarm or alarms may be reset in response
to activation of an alarm reset means, such as "RESET" switch or
button 330 in FIG. 3 or similar reset means. While not shown in
FIG. 4, the method 400 may return to block 424 after a reset and
the method 400 may proceed as previously described. The in-range
detection features and motion detection features illustrated in
FIG. 4 are not intended to operate in any particular order relative
to one another and may operate simultaneously with one another.
[0061] The controller or functions of the controller may be
embodied in commercial electronic devices, such as a personal
digital assistant (e.g., Palm Pilot, Blackberry, etc.) a cellular
telephone or other wireless communications device.
[0062] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more
executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of
the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified
functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and
computer instructions.
[0063] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0064] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate
that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same
purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and
that the invention has other applications in other environments.
This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations
of the present invention. The following claims are in no way
intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific
embodiments described herein.
* * * * *